I’ve never been to Atlantic City, so the distinctive features of its boardwalk are unknown to me. However, my eBay dealer recognized them right away—the wicker push carts and the big Heisey’s Glassware sign in the background. This older couple is posed so that both markers are in clear view. Maybe they hoped to show all their friends exactly where they had been on vacation.
At first I thought they might be sitting on a wicker bench, but other photos show how the little carts worked. Somewhat like a rickshaw, they had people behind them pushing. The cart in the photo does not have a roof, unlike those below.
The Heisey’s sign helps to date the photo. This Ohio glassware company was well known for its ubiquitous ads. The earliest photo I have seen of the sign in Atlantic City comes from 1919, the latest from the mid-1920s.
The older woman’s clothes look to be from the 1920s as well, with her cloche hat and loosely cut dress. Since we see her sitting down, the waist of the dress looks close to her natural waistline. However, I bet it was nearer to her hips when she stood.
What a happy couple! They aren’t holding hands, but both appear to be having a fine time on their outing.
